Centrica

Corporate brand

A British-listed energy and home-services group built around British Gas, energy supply, customer services, energy trading, nuclear investment and flexible energy infrastructure.

Last updated October 14, 2026

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Overview

Centrica plc is a British multinational energy and services group headquartered in Windsor, Berkshire. Its principal activities are the supply of gas and electricity, energy-related services, home heating and repair, distributed-energy management, and selected energy infrastructure investments. The group’s best-known consumer business is British Gas, which operates primarily in England and Wales; the equivalent Scottish trading name is Scottish Gas. In Ireland, Centrica operates the Bord Gáis Energy business. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker CNA and has been a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index at different points in its history. Centrica’s roots reach back to the Gas Light and Coke Company, incorporated in 1812 and later absorbed into the publicly controlled gas-board system created after the Gas Act 1948. The area gas boards were consolidated into the British Gas Corporation in 1973. British Gas was subsequently privatised as British Gas plc under the Gas Act 1986. On 17 February 1997, British Gas plc was demerged into three separately listed businesses: Centrica, BG plc and Transco plc. Centrica inherited gas sales and trading, retail energy, services, and production interests in the Morecambe gas fields, while the other businesses focused on international exploration and production and gas transmission. Following the opening of the United Kingdom gas market to competition in 1998, Centrica lost its former supply monopoly but retained the British Gas name for its UK retail operations. It also entered electricity supply as the electricity market became competitive. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the group pursued diversification, acquiring Direct Energy in North America, the Automobile Association, a residential telecommunications business and other service companies. It later sold or exited many of those non-core activities, including Goldfish, the AA, One.Tel and most continental European retail supply operations, and returned to a more focused energy and customer-services strategy. The company expanded both upstream and downstream. It acquired North Sea interests, arranged long-term gas and liquefied natural gas contracts, purchased energy-management and demand-response businesses, and obtained a stake in British Energy, the UK nuclear generator subsequently controlled by EDF. In 2017, Centrica combined its exploration and production operations with Bayerngas Norge to create Spirit Energy, in which Centrica became the majority owner. It also withdrew from or disposed of several generation and upstream assets as the group reduced capital intensity and concentrated on customer-facing activities. Centrica has repeatedly reorganised in response to retail competition, wholesale-price volatility, regulation and changing energy demand. British Gas lost a substantial number of domestic customers in 2017, leading to cost reductions and job cuts. A further restructuring announced during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020 was intended to create a smaller, simpler group focused on customers and core markets. Centrica sold Direct Energy’s North American business to NRG Energy in 2020, using the proceeds principally to strengthen the balance sheet and pension position. More recently, Centrica has combined conventional energy supply with home electrification, connected-home technology, energy efficiency, solar generation, flexible demand and infrastructure investment. Its 18 MW Codford Solar Farm, opened in 2023, was described as its first major solar asset. The group has also pursued long-term LNG supply and participated in UK nuclear-power development, including an investment in Sizewell C announced in 2025. Its current strategic identity is that of a customer-facing energy company with supply, services, flexibility and selected infrastructure businesses rather than a broadly diversified conglomerate.

History

Centrica’s corporate history is rooted in the British gas industry. The Gas Light and Coke Company, formed in 1812, became the dominant gas supplier in Greater London through consolidation. State ownership followed the Gas Act 1948, when the company’s assets were transferred to the North Thames Gas Board. In 1973, the regional gas boards were combined into the British Gas Corporation. The Gas Act 1986 privatised the corporation as British Gas plc. The company was later divided on 17 February 1997 into Centrica plc, BG plc and Transco plc. Centrica received the retail, trading, services and some production businesses. It preserved the British Gas consumer identity while adapting to the end of the UK gas-supply monopoly in 1998 and the liberalisation of electricity supply. During the 2000s, Centrica pursued diversification. Direct Energy provided an entry into North American retail energy, while the AA, Goldfish and One.Tel represented attempts to broaden the group beyond energy. Most of those businesses were subsequently sold. From the middle of the decade, management instead emphasised an integrated energy strategy spanning production, trading, supply and customer services. Important transactions included the acquisition of North Sea interests, investment in British Energy, the purchase of Dyno-Rod, and the expansion of Direct Energy’s services operations. The group continued to build an international energy portfolio through LNG contracts, Norwegian continental-shelf interests, Hess’s energy-marketing assets and the Irish Bord Gáis retail business. It also developed connected-home technology through Hive and acquired companies involved in energy optimisation, combined heat and power, demand response and device-level monitoring. In 2017, its exploration and production activities were combined with Bayerngas Norge to form Spirit Energy. Centrica also disposed of selected generation and Canadian upstream assets and ceased operating the ageing Rough facility as a gas-storage site. Retail competition and pressure on household energy margins produced a difficult period in the late 2010s. Customer attrition at British Gas prompted restructuring, and the dividend was reduced in 2019. The COVID-19 shock added bad-debt and demand concerns, drove another large workforce reduction and contributed to the sale of Direct Energy in 2020. British Gas engineering staff also engaged in industrial action over employment terms. Since 2022, higher energy prices improved reported earnings, although the company remained exposed to weather, regulation, wholesale markets and consumer affordability. Centrica has increasingly presented itself as an energy-transition and customer-services company, developing solar generation, flexibility, electrification and digital energy-management capabilities while retaining gas supply, LNG, nuclear and other conventional-energy interests. Its later investments include the Codford Solar Farm, a long-term LNG purchase agreement and participation in the Sizewell C nuclear project.

2026
Ofgem prepayment-meter investigation closed
[8]British Gas agrees settlement in relation to Ofgem’s investigation of unfair treatment of prepayment meter customersofgem.gov.uk
Ofgem concluded that historical British Gas practices breached licence conditions and announced a £20 million redress payment and additional compensation measures.
2025
Sizewell C investment completed
[7]Completion of investment in Sizewell Ccentrica.com
Centrica completed the acquisition of a 15% stake in Sizewell C and made an initial investment of £376 million.
2023
British Gas suspends warrant-based prepayment-meter installations
[13]British Gas suspends warrant-based prepayment-meter installationsofgem.gov.uk
Following Ofgem scrutiny, British Gas suspended the activity and entered a period of investigation and remedial review.
2021
Direct Energy residential business sold
[9]Centricaen.wikipedia.org
Centrica sold Direct Energy’s North American residential business to NRG Energy as part of portfolio simplification.
2017
Spirit Energy formed
[9]Centricaen.wikipedia.org
Centrica combined its North Sea exploration and production business with Bayerngas Norge to form Spirit Energy.
2015
Connected-home investment programme announced
[12]Connected-home investment programme announcedcentrica.com
Centrica announced a £500 million five-year investment programme for connected-home innovation and Hive expansion.
2013
Hive launched
[11]Hive launchedcentrica.com
British Gas introduced Hive Active Heating and established a connected-home platform.
2004
Dyno-Rod acquired
[10]Dyno-Rod acquireden.wikipedia.org
British Gas acquired Dyno-Rod, strengthening the group’s plumbing and drainage-services activities.
1999
Automobile Association acquired
[9]Centricaen.wikipedia.org
Centrica acquired the Automobile Association as part of a broader services diversification strategy.
1998
Domestic gas competition introduced
[9]Centricaen.wikipedia.org
Centrica’s former gas-supply monopoly ended and British Gas began operating in a competitive market.
1997
Centrica established through British Gas demerger
[1]Our Historycentrica.com
Centrica became a separate company on 17 February 1997, retaining gas sales, trading, retail, services and selected production interests.
1986
British Gas plc privatised
[1]Our Historycentrica.com
The Gas Act 1986 created British Gas plc and its shares began trading in December.
1973
British Gas Corporation formed
[1]Our Historycentrica.com
Regional gas boards were consolidated into the publicly owned British Gas Corporation.
1812
Gas Light and Coke Company incorporated
[1]Our Historycentrica.com
Centrica traces part of its historical lineage to the Gas Light and Coke Company, an early London gas utility.

Products and positioning

A major customer-facing energy and home-services group combining household energy supply with heating, repair, connected-home, flexibility, trading, storage, generation and infrastructure activities. Its strategic positioning emphasizes helping customers decarbonise homes and businesses while retaining scale in essential energy supply.

Retail energy and home services · 1997
British Gas
Centrica’s principal United Kingdom consumer brand supplies gas and electricity and provides boiler installation, heating repair, plumbing, drainage, electrical services and home-maintenance plans. British Gas Services & Solutions also markets heat pumps, EV chargers, solar and other technologies intended to help households improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
Retail energy and home services · 1997
Scottish Gas
Scottish Gas is the Scottish trading identity used by Centrica’s consumer energy and home-services operations. It provides household energy supply and related installation, repair and maintenance services adapted to the Scottish market.
Retail energy and home services · 2014
Bord Gáis Energy
Bord Gáis Energy is Centrica’s Irish consumer energy and services business. It supplies energy and provides home-heating services, including the Irish distribution of Hive connected-heating technology.
Connected home and energy technology · 2013
Hive
Hive began as a smart-heating brand launched by British Gas in 2013. Its product family has expanded from remote heating controls to smart thermostats, sensors, EV charging, heat-pump integration, solar and energy-management functions designed to coordinate household energy use.
Energy trading and optimisation · 1997
Centrica Energy
Centrica Energy provides wholesale energy trading, route-to-market, renewable-energy optimisation and risk-management services. It trades and manages energy across European markets and supports both Centrica-owned and third-party generation assets.
Commercial energy services · 2015
Centrica Business Solutions
Centrica Business Solutions serves commercial and industrial customers with energy supply, efficiency programmes, distributed energy, demand management and decarbonisation services.
Plumbing and drainage services · 2004
Dyno-Rod
Dyno-Rod provides plumbing, drainage and emergency-response services to residential and business customers in the United Kingdom and complements British Gas’s wider home-services offering.
Heating and electrical services
PH Jones
PH Jones provides heating, electrical, maintenance and renewable-technology services, with a particular focus on social-housing providers and property portfolios.
Gas storage and energy infrastructure
Centrica Energy Storage+
Centrica Energy Storage+ manages gas-storage and related infrastructure activities, supporting system flexibility and seasonal balancing in the United Kingdom.
Nuclear infrastructure investment · 2025
Sizewell C stake
Centrica holds a 15% equity interest in the Sizewell C nuclear project. The investment gives the group exposure to regulated nuclear infrastructure and a proposed long-term route-to-market role for electricity from the project.

Controversies

2023
British Gas prepayment-meter installation practices
Reports alleged that agents working for British Gas had obtained warrants and entered homes to install prepayment meters, including in cases involving vulnerable customers. Ofgem opened an urgent investigation, British Gas suspended warrant-based installations and the regulator later concluded that historical practices breached licence conditions. In May 2026, British Gas agreed to pay £20 million into Ofgem’s voluntary redress fund and provide additional compensation and remedial measures.
Source
2023
Energy-crisis profit and affordability criticism
Centrica and British Gas faced political and public criticism as energy prices and household bills rose while Centrica reported unusually strong earnings. The company attributed much of the volatility to market conditions, regulation and timing effects, while also announcing customer-support measures.
Source
2021
British Gas engineers continue strike over proposed contracts
British Gas field engineers continued striking in New Malden over contracts they said Centrica was forcing on them through a “fire and re-hire” threat. Centrica said the contracts were necessary to protect jobs and that dismissal and re-engagement had been removed for a significant majority of employees.
Source

2025Free-energy homes trial with Barratt Redrow
United Kingdom
British Gas and Barratt Redrow launched a trial in which ten new homes received two years of energy at no charge in exchange for data on how residents used integrated solar, batteries, heat pumps, sensors and Hive technology.
Outcome. The trial was intended to inform the wider deployment of digitally managed, low-carbon homes.
Source
2020Here to Solve
United Kingdom
British Gas used Here to Solve to broaden its image from an energy supplier to a wider home-services provider. Advertising highlighted HomeCare, boiler installation, repairs and the brand’s role in solving practical household problems.
Outcome. The campaign formed the centre of a year-long repositioning programme focused on customer perceptions and service breadth.
Source
2017Let’s Get Living
United Kingdom · United States · Canada
Hive refreshed its identity and launched a campaign presenting connected-home technology as a friendly, practical way to make everyday life easier rather than as a specialist technology purchase.
Outcome. The campaign supported Hive’s expansion across multiple markets and accompanied new subscription-based connected-home packages.
Source
2015If it helps it’s Bord Gáis Energy
Ireland
Bord Gáis Energy used an integrated television, radio, digital and outdoor campaign to introduce Hive Active Heating to Irish households.
Outcome. The campaign positioned Hive as an accessible heating-control service available beyond existing Bord Gáis Energy customers.
Source
1986If you see Sid...Tell him!
United Kingdom
The public campaign for British Gas privatisation encouraged ordinary consumers to buy shares in the newly privatised company. It became one of the most recognisable British public-offer campaigns and helped establish the mass-shareholder culture associated with the sale.
Outcome. The campaign reached a very large proportion of the UK adult population and supported strong public participation in the flotation.
Source

Brand decisions

2025
Invest in Sizewell CM&A
Background
Centrica sought a larger position in stable, low-carbon and regulated energy infrastructure while supporting the United Kingdom’s nuclear build programme.
Action taken
The company acquired a 15% equity stake in Sizewell C, with a capped investment commitment of £1.3 billion and an intended route-to-market role.
Aftermath
Centrica completed the investment after financial close and made an initial £376 million payment, reinforcing its infrastructure-led strategy.
Capped investment commitment. £1.3 billion (Announced 2025; investment through project development and construction)
Source
2023
Suspend warrant-based prepayment-meter installationsOther
Background
Ofgem opened an urgent investigation into British Gas practices concerning prepayment meters and vulnerable customers.
Action taken
British Gas suspended warrant-based prepayment-meter installations and entered into legally enforceable undertakings while the investigation proceeded.
Aftermath
The later Ofgem settlement required a £20 million redress payment, compensation and improvements to governance and vulnerability safeguards.
Source
2021
Simplify the international portfolioStrategy
Background
Centrica faced weaker returns and greater complexity across international consumer operations.
Action taken
The group sold Direct Energy’s North American residential business to NRG Energy and concentrated more heavily on the United Kingdom, Ireland, services, trading and infrastructure.
Aftermath
The simplified group became more closely associated with British Gas, Bord Gáis Energy, Hive, Centrica Energy and selected infrastructure businesses.
Source
2017
Form Spirit Energy with Bayerngas NorgeM&A
Background
Centrica sought scale and portfolio efficiency in North Sea exploration and production.
Action taken
Centrica combined its North Sea exploration and production business with Bayerngas Norge to create Spirit Energy.
Aftermath
Spirit Energy became a major upstream vehicle before Centrica later reduced its exposure to selected producing assets.
Source
2015
Commit to connected-home investmentStrategy
Background
Centrica identified connected-home technology as a growth area linking energy, services and customer data.
Action taken
The group announced a £500 million five-year investment programme covering connected-home innovation, the Honeycomb platform and Hive products.
Aftermath
Hive expanded into Ireland and North America and later broadened into smart-energy and low-carbon-home technologies.
Announced investment programme. £500 million (Five years from 2015)
Source
2013
Launch Hive connected-home platformProduct launch
Background
Centrica sought to extend British Gas beyond commodity supply and give households more control over heating and energy use.
Action taken
British Gas launched Hive Active Heating, allowing remote control of heating and hot water through mobile devices, SMS and the web.
Aftermath
Hive became a broader connected-home and energy-management brand used across Centrica’s consumer businesses.
Source
1997
Create Centrica through British Gas demergerStrategy
Background
British Gas plc was reorganised to separate customer-facing supply, trading and services from the businesses that became BG Group and Transco.
Action taken
Centrica was established on 17 February 1997 and retained the British Gas retail brand and selected production interests.
Aftermath
The demerger created the corporate structure through which British Gas continued as a consumer brand in a competitive energy market.
Source

Recent events

2021.02.01
Reported2021.02.01
British Gas engineers continue strike over proposed contracts[19]British Gas engineers continue strike over proposed contractssurreycomet.co.uk
British Gas field engineers continued striking in New Malden over contracts they said Centrica was forcing on them through a “fire and re-hire” threat. Centrica said the contracts were necessary to protect jobs and that dismissal and re-engagement had been removed for a significant majority of employees.
2020.09.04
Reported2020.09.04
Centrica agrees to acquire Robin Hood Energy customers[20]Centrica同意收购Robin Hood Energy客户finanznachrichten.de
Centrica announced that, through its British Gas business, it had agreed to acquire the energy-supply customers of Robin Hood Energy. Completion was anticipated on 16 September.
2020.08.11
Reported2020.08.11
EXL and Centrica extend strategic partnership[21]EXL与Centrica延长战略合作关系finanznachrichten.de
EXL announced a five-year contract extension to continue providing services and solutions to Centrica. Centrica described the agreement as a continuation of its strategic partnership with EXL.
2020.06.11
Reported2020.06.11
Centrica announces 5,000 planned job cuts[22]Centrica宣布计划裁减5,000个职位energylivenews.com
Centrica announced 5,000 job cuts for the second half of 2020 as part of a business-wide restructure.
2020.03.19
Reported2020.03.19
Iain Conn to step down as Centrica CEO and board member[23]Iain Conn将卸任Centrica首席执行官及董事lngindustry.com
Centrica announced that Iain Conn would step down as CEO and from the board, remaining available to support the handover until the annual general meeting on 11 May 2020.
2020.03.17
Reported2020.03.17
Centrica appoints Scott Wheway as chairman[24]Centrica任命Scott Wheway为董事长directorstalkinterviews.com
Centrica confirmed Scott Wheway's appointment as Chairman, effective immediately.
2020.03.17
Reported2020.03.17
Centrica chairman Charles Berry resigns[24]Centrica任命Scott Wheway为董事长directorstalkinterviews.com
Centrica announced that Chairman Charles Berry resigned with immediate effect, following doctors' advice to reduce his workload.
2020.03.17
Reported2020.03.17
Centrica names Chris O’Shea interim CEO[24]Centrica任命Scott Wheway为董事长directorstalkinterviews.com
Centrica announced that Group CFO Chris O’Shea would become Interim Group CEO while the search for a permanent CEO continued.
2020.02.20
Reported2020.02.20
Driivz raises £8.4 million in funding[25]Driivz完成840万英镑融资energylivenews.com
Driivz raised £8.4 million in its latest funding round, with GVR and Centrica participating.
2019.11.27
Reported2019.11.27
Centrica and NCP team up to trial EV charge parks[26]Centrica与NCP合作试点电动汽车充电停车场energylivenews.com
Centrica and NCP teamed up to trial public-space “charge parks” for electric vehicles, with the aim of exploring potential charging options for commercial fleets and taxis.

Sources29 sources

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